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Bayer Leverkusen reportedly set ‘mega’ price tag on Arsenal transfer target Edmond Tapsoba

Dylan Walsh

Mon 31 May 2021 6:45, UK

Arsenal will have to submit a ‘mega offer’ to Bayer Leverkusen if they are to sign 22-year-old centre-back Edmond Tapsoba.

that the German club are not interested in selling their prized defender this summer.

Tapsoba’s current deal with Leverkusen lasts until 2026, and only a bid of around €70m (£60m) would tempt the Bundesliga side to sell the Burkina Faso international.

Tapsoba is one of the hottest prospects in Germany after arriving from Portugal in January 2020.

The 22-year-old has made 39 appearances this season for the Bundesliga side as Leverkusen finished sixth in the league standings.

Replacing David Luis this summer

that Arsenal were interested in signing Tapsoba this summer.

The Gunners recently released David Luiz, and reports suggest Mikel Arteta wants to sign a replacement.

Although the Gunners will see William Saliba and Konstantinos Mavropanos return to the club this summer, it appears that Arteta is looking for alternatives in the transfer market to replace Luiz.

Tapsoba is way beyond Arsenal’s price range

Tapsoba is a special player. The Burkinabe defender has excelled since joining Leverkusen 18 months ago. And the Bundesliga side are right to value their most valued asset with a sky-high fee to fend off suitors.

And it is this asking price that should be more than enough to pour cool water on these rumours linking Tapsoba to Arsenal.

Whilst the 22-year-old would be an exceptional signing for the Gunners if they had both the funds and the lack of defensive quality, Arsenal simply don’t need an expensive centre-back this summer given other areas of the tea that are in desperate need of improvement.

And with Saliba and Mavropanos returning, there’s a chance Arsenal won’t sign a defender this summer given their age and potential.